Honk News (Honolulu, HI) – A mother in Hawaii and her girlfriend are in custody, accused of starving and beating the woman’s 3-year-old daughter to death with various objects, including belts and paddles.
Reports indicate that they restricted the child’s water intake to just 8 ounces a day. The abuse also affected the woman’s three other children, aged 2 to 6, who survived the troubling situation, as stated by police.
Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes provided details at a press conference last Thursday regarding the tragic case of Sarai Perez-Rivera. First responders discovered her in a critical state, malnourished and without a pulse, showing signs of severe distress including ashen skin and multiple bruises on her body. The announcement also included the arrests of Janae Perez and Ashley Utley in connection with her death in June 2024, as reported.
“Through the investigation, it was learned that Janae and Ashley limited Sarai and her siblings intake of water and food,” Thoemmes said. “Janae and Ashley did not allow them to eat often and only allowed them to drink 8 ounces of water a day.”
A woman who previously lived with Perez and Utley reportedly approached the police and disclosed details of the abuse following the initial report of Perez-Rivera’s biological father’s death last year. Last week, local prosecutors filed second-degree murder charges against the pair, along with additional charges concerning the alleged abuse and neglect. Officials reported that Perez-Rivera died due to the combined effects of dehydration and starvation. The children who survived are currently in protective custody.
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In police interviews, the woman living with Perez and Utley stated that the couple primarily used their hands to discipline the children, but also resorted to sticks and paddles, according to Thoemmes.
Perez and Utley reportedly assaulted the 6-year-old living in their home when he attempted to escape, using a stick and screwdriver, as stated in court documents.
A woman reported to the police that Perez and Utley committed their abusive acts while the other children observed and listened from their rooms and various areas of the house.
Perez and Utley initially claimed that the 5-year-old child living with them was responsible for Perez-Rivera’s death, a claim that was reportedly refuted during the police investigation.
A 6-year-old informed the police that on the day of his sister’s death, she was making noises he described as “weird” and resembling someone who seemed to be “suffering.” A 5-year-old reportedly informed investigators that Perez-Rivera went “up, up” to see Jesus. The child also asked the police if Jesus had food in heaven, mentioning that his mom said Jesus does not eat or have food.